Does Illnesses Pass Through Breast Milk?

Most common illnesses such as colds, flu, skin infections, or diarrhea, does not pass through breast milk. In fact, if a mother has an illness, her breast milk will contain antibodies to it that will help protect her baby from those same illnesses.

Women who are HIV positive should not breastfeed as this virus can pass through breast milk. A few other illnesses such as herpes, hepatitis, and beta streptococcus infections can also be transmitted through breast milk. But that doesn't always mean a mother with those diseases shouldn't breastfeed.

Each case must be evaluated on an individual basis with the doctor.

Breast cancer will not passed through breast milk. Women with breast cancer can usually breastfeed from the unaffected breast. Studies have shown that breastfeeding reduces a woman's chance of developing breast cancer later.

Women with silicone breast implants can usually nurse but there is some concern that the silicone may harm the baby if the implants leak. Some small studies have suggested a link between breastfeeding with implants and later development of problems with the child's esophagus. It is recommended that a woman with implants to discuss the risks and benefits with a doctor before breastfeeding.